New Delhi: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on Monday put all zoos throughout the nation on highest alert and requested them to gather samples fortnightly in suspected instances after a tiger at a US zoo examined constructive for coronavirus.

In a letter to all states and Union territories, CZA Member Secretary S P Yadav mentioned the USA Division of Agriculture’s Nationwide Veterinary Companies Laboratories has confirmed COVID-19 in a tiger on the Bronx Zoo in New York.

“Zoos in the country are, therefore, advised to remain on highest alertness, and monitor animals 24X7 using CCTVs for any abnormal behaviour or symptoms,” it mentioned.

The authority mentioned carnivores, particularly cats, ferrets and primates, should be fastidiously monitored and fortnightly samples of suspected instances be despatched to designated animal well being institutes for COVID-19 testing.

The samples could be despatched to the Nationwide Institute of Excessive Safety Animal Illness in Bhopal, the Nationwide Analysis Centre on Equines in Haryana’s Hisar and the Indian Veterinary Analysis Institute in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, the letter mentioned.

“Sick animals should be isolated and quarantined,” it added.

No keeper or handler ought to be allowed within the neighborhood of animals with out security gear, ideally private protecting tools (PPE). They need to have least contact with animals whereas offering them feed, it mentioned.

Zoos have been requested to observe all bio-containment and security measures required to deal with the high-risk pathogen as per the nationwide/ICMR tips, the letter mentioned.

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“Zoos are advised to coordinate with designated nodal agencies of the government for public health response and permit screening, testing and surveillance as and when required by the nodal agency,” the CZA added.

A four-year-old Malayan tiger on the Bronx Zoo in New York has examined constructive for the coronavirus an infection.

The feminine tiger, named Nadia, is believed to be the primary identified case of an animal contaminated with COVID-19 within the US. It’s suspected that she contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at the moment.

The incident has raised issues over whether or not the an infection could be transmitted between animals and people.

In keeping with media experiences, a Pomeranian canine in Hong Kong additionally examined constructive for COVID-19 final month.

Thus far, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been spreading from people to people and there’s no analysis but to assist human-to-animal transmission, consultants say.

Nonetheless, they are saying, folks contaminated with COVID-19 ought to restrict contact with their pets.

The Union Atmosphere Ministry additionally issued an advisory to states and Union territories, expressing concern concerning the transmission of the virus between people and animals.

It requested the states and UTs to take speedy preventive measures, scale back human-wildlife interface and limit the motion of individuals to nationwide parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves.

Zoos throughout the nation have been shut following a CZA directive on March 13, with their administration taking precautionary measures whereas caring for animals.

In India, there are 145 recognised zoos with over 56,000 animals, based on the CZA.

The Delhi Zoo or the Nationwide Zoological Park has requested its workers with signs similar to cough, chilly, fever to remain residence. “We have been screening our employees at the gates. If they show any symptoms, they are asked to quarantine themselves at home,” Delhi Zoo Director Suneesh Buxy mentioned.

The zoo workers has been taking all precautionary measures. They put on gloves, masks and wash fingers with cleaning soap steadily, Vary Officer Saurabh Vashishtha mentioned, including that disinfectant is being sprayed in frequent areas.

There are round 1,100 animals, 30 attendants and round 15 animal keepers within the 188-acre zoo, he mentioned.

The authorities on the Itanagar Organic Park are additionally taking additional care of their 9 massive cats.

“Food for the carnivores is treated properly before the animals eat it. Even the vehicles are sanitised thoroughly,” Organic Park, Itanagar, curator Raya Flago mentioned.

The zoo administration has not allowed any worker to exit of the park because the lockdown got here into power. “We have also made it mandatory for the staff of the park to wear masks and other protective equipment while feeding the animals,” Flago added.